The Royal Grammar School organises Proud of My Roots Event By Lucy Sowah

During the first week of October the hallways of RGS were filled with students proudly wearing traditional clothing, national costumes and sporting colours. The rhythm of drums, the aroma of Asian foods and conversation in many languages flowed through the corridors. This was part of a whole-school event – Proud of My Roots – a week-long celebration of the diversity and heritage of our school.

Each day students hosted assemblies. They covered; The history of the MacClean Clan and their role in the battles between the English and the Scots; the effect of stereotyping on the Muslim community and the peaceful message of Islam; the evolution of the Buckinghamshire accent; the role of Indians in Great Britain and an introduction to Sikhism.

On Wednesday all students and staff were invited to come to school in international mufti. We saw people in kilts, salwar kameez, rugby tops, berets and myriad cultural symbols. Everyone paid a pound to charity and an impressive total of £1,213 was raised. The money was divided by vote: £643 to UNICEF, £400 to Red Cross/Red Crescent and £170 to Amnesty international.

Around the school international films were shown. They ranged from short films from New Zealand and Germany, to movies from China, to television series from Brazil and Japan.

In ‘The Space’ information stalls provided a backdrop to a range of cuisine: chaat, fried plantain, samosas, jolloff rice, hot pepper, shortbread and pakora. Students played instruments and an impromptu bollywood dance-off entertained the crowds.
This was a fantastic event for the whole school. Staff and students worked together and enjoyed an important feature of the Royal Grammar School – a strong sense of community and respect for every individual.

Pictures:

LAS Ghana – Member of staff representing Ghana with information and Ghanaian fayre

 

Naz charity – A Sixth Form student collecting votes for charity contributions

Indian Drums – A Year Eleven student on the drum, leading others in a Indian musical celebration

 

Scots – A Year Eleven student representing Scottish history and his clan.

 

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